[clh2991]

Hello, I have a compaq laptop with windows vista, and I'm curious if there is a way to require a specific flash drive to be plugged in to boot the pc.

[lilxkid24]

you mean the lock button on your usb drive? If you want a file safe you can always encrypt it.

[mphenterprises]

No, I believe he or she means a device that would render the laptop inoperable without that device in a USB drive.

[techie4fun]

Ok, we'll, this doesn't necessary require a thumb drive to be in the computer to boot up your computer, but this application logs you into WINDOWS with your flash drive. It does so using your existing windows username and password. So, instead of having to type in a password, the thumb drive IS your password.http://www.rohos.com/configuringusbstick_logon.htm

[clh2991]

[quote:c23b169df3]No, I believe he or she means a device that would render the laptop inoperable without that device in a USB drive.[/quote:c23b169df3]Yea, that was what I was referring to.[quote:c23b169df3]So, instead of having to type in a password, the thumb drive IS your password. [/quote:c23b169df3] Thanks, I may try that.

[smax013]

Talking about something like this:[url]http://www.idsecuritysuite.com/products/id-usb-lock-key.htm_Does not currently appear to work with Vista, however...

[smax013]

Looks like if you have Vista Ultimate with BitLocker, then you can setup BitLocker to work with a USB drive to potentially do what you want:[url]http://lifehacker.com/software/vista/windows-vista-tip-enable-bitlocker-with-a-usb-drive-234459.php_If you don't have Vista Ultimate, you could upgrade to it, I believe.

[clh2991]

Thanks smax013, that's exactly what I was looking for

[smax013]

[quote name='clh2991']Thanks smax013, that's exactly what I was looking forJust be sure to backup your data/computer. If you use BitLocker on the whole drive and forget a password or lose/corrupt the USB drive, you are hosed.